Borda borders on spectacular

The Lehigh QB throws for five touchdowns in a rout of Holy Cross.

But Lehigh quarterback Mark Borda was definitely in the "Comfort Zone" during the Mountain Hawks' 42-14 rout of host Holy Cross on Saturday.

Borda, the junior from Bethlehem Catholic, had a career passing day with 288 yards and five TDs as Lehigh (4-1) opened Patriot League play in convincing fashion.

Borda was in the "Comfort Zone" for numerous reasons.

First, He is developing a tighter bond with his offensive unit pals and a firmer grasp of LU's extensive play package.

Secondly, Lehigh's offensive line gave him plenty of time to enjoy the postcard-perfect New England day.

And, third, he had an inkling of what was coming from the Crusaders because he had past experience working against a Tom Gilmore-coached defense.

Gilmore, Holy Cross' first-year head coach, spent the previous four years as Lehigh's defensive coordinator.

"I felt more comfortable because I had gone up against his defense for a year and a half in practice," Borda said. "We felt like we knew what he was going to do. We knew his tendencies."

Borda was right on the money with his throws early on, completing his first eight passes for 128 yards and three scores. Lehigh scored on five of its first six possessions in rolling to a 35-7 halftime lead.

Borda has never had five TD passes in a game -- "not even in the backyard," he said.

He might have had more, but Lehigh went to the ground after opening up the big lead. Borda left after finding tight end Adam Bergen (seven catches, 101 yards) for his second TD reception with 13:06 to go.

Eric Rath, showing no signs of recent injuries, ran for 88 yards and a TD.

"We have a lot of weapons, and the line was great again," Borda said. "I felt like I was throwing downhill. It wasn't like I was hot. A lot of guys could stand there with that time and find open receivers."

Borda actually threw six TD passes. One happened to be scored by a Holy Cross player on a 20-yard interception return in the third period.

"That play had worked all day, and they made an adjustment," Borda said.

Still, Borda received the Johnny Turco Memorial Award as the MVP of Holy Cross' Homecoming game.

"I don't know what the award is about," Borda said, "but I will find out about it."

And while Hawks fans are finding out more about Borda's ability, they're also learning more about how dominant their defense can be.

Lehigh hasn't allowed more than 16 points in its last three games and set the day's tone when Josh Cooney got a sack on Holy Cross' first series.

Tristan Lawrence notched three sacks and knocked Crusaders' QB John O'Neil out of the game late in the first half.

"Playing against coach Gilmore, we were excited," Lawrence said.

Lehigh got interceptions from Anthony Graziani and Andrew Nelson, the latter coming in the end zone.

It was the kind of Lehigh defensive effort Gilmore had seen many times before, but not from the other sideline.

"[Going against me] may have added more fuel to the fire for Lehigh," he said. "I tried to approach it as just another game. Now that it's over, I admit it was emotional. I mean I coached and recruited a lot of those guys. They played hard for me, and they played hard again today. They executed well. We didn't."

The play: WR Kevin Zebluim 9 pass from QB Mark Borda (Justin Musiek kick). The drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 1:40. The keys: Borda ran for 10 yards on the first play and then was 3-for-3 for 38 yards, hitting three different receivers. Zebluim beat LB Sain Karim at back of end zone.

Lehigh 14, Holy Cross 0 (5:29)

The play: RB Marques Thompson 32 pass from Borda (Musiek kick). The drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 1:06. The keys: Borda was 2-for-2 for 56 yards, ran for 17, and was hit as he threw the TD pass, a screen to Thompson.